The President who was en-route to Apac District to preside over Tarehe Sita celebrations, made a stop-over at Bombo Military Barracks where he commissioned the newly built UPDF Officers' Wing and Intensive Care Unit.
The 25-bed capacity facility consists of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), maternity and delivery room, general ward as and a VIP suite. Construction of the medical facility cost 925million Shillings, while the medical equipment cost another 723 million Shillings, According to Col Bekunda Besigye, the Deputy Commander of the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
Brig Dr Ambrose Musinguzi, the UPDF Chief of Medical Services says that 70 percent of the patients at the facility are civilians who are offered services at no cost.
President Museveni commended the work of the two core groups, the medical team and the Engineering Brigade which he said has greatly reduced on the cost of construction done by hired contractors.
He said the facility will help the institution in treating and handling their own patients in privacy without 'advertising', but also serve the local community.
"You have done well. You have done it yourselves and you will examine and treat our soldiers. You should continue to cover more areas of the body to handle issues of cancers, kidneys, Urinary tract diseases and heart diseases among others," he said.
Defense Minister, Hon Adolf Mwesige said the hospital was an important facility for the UPDF and for the country and that it will foster harmony and understanding between the military and civilians including through activities such as extending free medical care, responding to epidemics and disasters.
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